Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the Texas Gulf Coast with 40 mph winds, becoming the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters warned of life-threatening flooding, storm surge and dangerous surf from Texas into the Southeast.
Posts tagged as “the Florida Panhandle”
Potential Tropical Cyclone One could become the first tropical storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season while bringing heavy rain and dangerous flooding from Texas to the Southeast. Flood watches and warnings covered more than 40 million people across the region.
Michael Zack III was executed in Florida on Tuesday for the murder of Ravonne Smith in 1996, despite his lawyers arguing he had an intellectual disability. His death warrant was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, and his execution was the first in the state since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Florida's death penalty statute unconstitutional. Zack's execution has reignited the debate surrounding the death penalty in the United States.
Florida is bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Idalia, a dangerous Category 4 storm that is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges and rainfall. The king tide, a twice-yearly phenomenon caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, could worsen the flooding. Residents in the Big Bend region are urged to take precautions and prepare for the storm, and the Environmental Protection Agency is warning people to be aware of the potential for flooding and to take steps to protect their homes and businesses.